1.Money Instructor's Career, Work, and Business Lessons:http://www.moneyinstructor.com/buscareer This site contains information and lessons about resume writing, filling out job applications, interviewing, writing business letters, communicating, public speaking, and career planning and exploring. It also provides information on soft skills, such as teamwork, self-esteem, negotiating, dealing with difficult people, and organization. Lesson plans and worksheets are basic but can help lay a foundation. One can be a limited member or a full member ($30 annually) to access the lesson plans, worksheets, and articles. Grade Level: Teachers of High School and Adult Learners
2. Pennsylvania’s Career Zone: http://www.pacareerzone.comStudents are encouraged to work through the Interest Profiler, Work Importance Profiler, and Assess Yourself assessment based on the Holland Codes for self-exploration. This site includes comprehensive information on 900 occupations includes state specific wages, worker attributes, and job characteristics, as well as 300 career videos that give users a snap shot of the featured occupation. Using the resource link, other useful resources are listed. There’s even a section on financial responsibility. Pennsylvania Career Zone was developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. Grade Level: Middle and High School Students
3. Quintessential Careers: http://www.quintcareers.com/student.htmlThis site provides help in choosing a college and finding scholarships for college, sharpening the focus of your career direction and college major(s)/minor(s), finding and excelling in summer jobs and internships, developing effective cover letters and resumes, and preparing for job interviews. In addition there is a large selection of free college, career, and job-hunting articles and tutorials. Grade Level: High School Students and Adult Learners
5. Career One Stop: Pathways to Career Success: http://www.careeronestop.org/ This site is designed to help in figuring out the right jobs for you (career assessments), finding jobs, and getting jobs (resumes, interviewing, etc.) It is a U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored Web site that “offers career resources and workforce information to job seekers, students, businesses, and workforce professionals to foster talent development in a global economy.” This website features interesting lists of occupations with largest employment, highest-paying employment, fastest-growing employment, declining employment, and more. Grade Level: Senior High School Students and Adult Learners
6. The Career Key: http://www.careerkey.org/This site is written and maintained by Dr. Lawrence K. Jones, author of the popular Career Key public service website and a recognized national expert on career development. The site provides expert help with career options, career change, career search, job skills and choosing a college major or training program. I especially appreciate the articles in which he warns of harmful career assessments and his section on military as a career. Grade Level: Senior High School Students and Adult Learners
7. University of North Carolina at Wilmington: http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors/I like this site for its section entitled “What Can I Do With A Major In...?” Students who like math or history can find out there’s more than teaching. Clicking on a subject, such as marine biology, brings up a definition/description, a long list of related career titles (such as Barrier Beach Manager, Forester, and Microbiologist), related major skills (such as oral and written communication, curiosity, and manual dexterity with scientific apparatus), job and internship search links, career planning links, professional associations, and miscellaneous resources and links. Grade Level: Middle and High School Students
8. Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/k12 This site opens to a group of teenagers with bubbles for what they enjoy doing, such as reading. Clicking on the reading bubble leads to five careers: writer, desktop publisher, secretary, librarian, and reporter. Then students can click on these and learn more about each of these careers. In addition students can learn about hundreds of careers via the A-Z List of Careers, and teachers can get suggestions for classroom use by clicking on Teacher’s Guide. Career information is based on the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Grade Level: Middle and High School Students
9. Vocational Information Center: http://www.khake.com/ I like this site because it isn’t so college-oriented and provides information for vocational careers, such as machining, autobody, heating/ventilating/air conditioning/refrigeration, culinary, and more. The website includesCareer Exploration and College Planning, Tutorials and Learning Resources for Vocational Students, Skills for Today's workforce, Technical School Locators, Job Market Resources, Career and Technical Education Resources, Vocational Curriculum, Vocational Related Lesson Plans and Integrated Academic Resources. Grade Level: Middle and High School Students
10. Marty Nemko’s Website: http://www.martynemko.com/articles/ As Contributing Editor of U.S. and News Report and career coach, Dr. Nemko has written dozens of insightful and knowledgeable articles on finding a job, landing the job, making the most of a job, procrastinating, managing people, negotiating, reducing stress and more. His writing is easy to read and personable. He is direct and tackles difficult subjects, such as an article entitled “Working While Ugly,” where he discusses being unattractive in a “lookist society.” Good articles that can be easily used with students. Grade Level: Senior High School Students and Adult Learners
11. Construct My Future: http://www.constructmyfuture.com/ This site is for students interested in the field of construction equipment manufacturing, construction equipment technology and distribution, and constructors. Many jobs and descriptions are provided under each of these three categories. Construction videos, scholarships, articles and links are also available. Grade Level: Middle and High School Students
12. Earth Science Week: http://www.earthsciweek.org/themebasedresources/career.html Sponsored by the American Geological Institute, this site focuses on 27 careers in geoscience. The site discusses what they do, where they work, how much they make, and what is the job outlook. It gets students to think beyond the familiar careers and learn about other careers. Grade Level: Middle and High School Students
13. My Future: http://www.myfuture.com/ Sponsored by the United States Department of Defense, this site includes a variety of resources that specifically pertain to planning for the future. Across the top are four main categories: military opportunities, money matters, beyond high school, and career toolbox. Clicking on any of these creates whole pages of links to good information about the military as well as civilian life. Grade Level: Senior High School Students and Adult Learners
14. Career Voyages: http://www.careervoyages.gov/students-main.cfmThis site is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to provide information on in-demand occupations along with the skills and education needed to attain these in-demand jobs, such as nanotechnology, health care, homeland security, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and more. I like this site because it is focused on jobs the nation needs and the skills and education needed for them. Too many students don’t look at what jobs are needed before they attend college then can’t find a job. Several career links and videos are also available. I also like the listing of the top occupations specific to PA, along with the projected need for employees, projected growth, average annual job openings, and typical education/training. Grade Level: Senior High School Students and Adult Learners
15. Education Planner: http://www.educationplanner.orgThis site, sponsored by American Education Services, is divided into three sections: Thinking About College (career assessments, SAT practice, college timeline), Choosing a College (selecting, applying, deciding), and Paying (financial aid information, scholarships, loans. Many articles and links will teach students everything they need to know and more. This is an excellent resource. Grade Level: Middle and High School Students
Guidance and Careers websites:
1. Money Instructor's Career, Work, and Business Lessons: http://www.moneyinstructor.com/buscareer This site contains information and lessons about resume writing, filling out job applications, interviewing, writing business letters, communicating, public speaking, and career planning and exploring. It also provides information on soft skills, such as teamwork, self-esteem, negotiating, dealing with difficult people, and organization. Lesson plans and worksheets are basic but can help lay a foundation. One can be a limited member or a full member ($30 annually) to access the lesson plans, worksheets, and articles. Grade Level: Teachers of High School and Adult Learners
2. Pennsylvania’s Career Zone: http://www.pacareerzone.com Students are encouraged to work through the Interest Profiler, Work Importance Profiler, and Assess Yourself assessment based on the Holland Codes for self-exploration. This site includes comprehensive information on 900 occupations includes state specific wages, worker attributes, and job characteristics, as well as 300 career videos that give users a snap shot of the featured occupation. Using the resource link, other useful resources are listed. There’s even a section on financial responsibility. Pennsylvania Career Zone was developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. Grade Level: Middle and High School Students
3. Quintessential Careers: http://www.quintcareers.com/student.html This site provides help in choosing a college and finding scholarships for college, sharpening the focus of your career direction and college major(s)/minor(s), finding and excelling in summer jobs and internships, developing effective cover letters and resumes, and preparing for job interviews. In addition there is a large selection of free college, career, and job-hunting articles and tutorials. Grade Level: High School Students and Adult Learners
4. Guidance Channel Online: http://www.guidancechannel.com/ This site includes insightful articles (such as “Creating Violence-Free Schools and Communities,” “Keeping Kids In School,” “Promoting Parent-School Partnerships,” “Supporting Children of Substance Abusers”), thought-provoking interviews, tips, website reviews, and other content that addresses the social, emotional, and educational issues facing our students. Grade Level: Counselors, Principals, Teachers
5. Career One Stop: Pathways to Career Success: http://www.careeronestop.org/ This site is designed to help in figuring out the right jobs for you (career assessments), finding jobs, and getting jobs (resumes, interviewing, etc.) It is a U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored Web site that “offers career resources and workforce information to job seekers, students, businesses, and workforce professionals to foster talent development in a global economy.” This website features interesting lists of occupations with largest employment, highest-paying employment, fastest-growing employment, declining employment, and more. Grade Level: Senior High School Students and Adult Learners
6. The Career Key: http://www.careerkey.org/ This site is written and maintained by Dr. Lawrence K. Jones, author of the popular Career Key public service website and a recognized national expert on career development. The site provides expert help with career options, career change, career search, job skills and choosing a college major or training program. I especially appreciate the articles in which he warns of harmful career assessments and his section on military as a career. Grade Level: Senior High School Students and Adult Learners
7. University of North Carolina at Wilmington: http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors/ I like this site for its section entitled “What Can I Do With A Major In...?” Students who like math or history can find out there’s more than teaching. Clicking on a subject, such as marine biology, brings up a definition/description, a long list of related career titles (such as Barrier Beach Manager, Forester, and Microbiologist), related major skills (such as oral and written communication, curiosity, and manual dexterity with scientific apparatus), job and internship search links, career planning links, professional associations, and miscellaneous resources and links. Grade Level: Middle and High School Students
8. Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/k12 This site opens to a group of teenagers with bubbles for what they enjoy doing, such as reading. Clicking on the reading bubble leads to five careers: writer, desktop publisher, secretary, librarian, and reporter. Then students can click on these and learn more about each of these careers. In addition students can learn about hundreds of careers via the A-Z List of Careers, and teachers can get suggestions for classroom use by clicking on Teacher’s Guide. Career information is based on the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Grade Level: Middle and High School Students
9. Vocational Information Center: http://www.khake.com/ I like this site because it isn’t so college-oriented and provides information for vocational careers, such as machining, autobody, heating/ventilating/air conditioning/refrigeration, culinary, and more. The website includesCareer Exploration and College Planning, Tutorials and Learning Resources for Vocational Students, Skills for Today's workforce, Technical School Locators, Job Market Resources, Career and Technical Education Resources, Vocational Curriculum, Vocational Related Lesson Plans and Integrated Academic Resources. Grade Level: Middle and High School Students
10. Marty Nemko’s Website: http://www.martynemko.com/articles/ As Contributing Editor of U.S. and News Report and career coach, Dr. Nemko has written dozens of insightful and knowledgeable articles on finding a job, landing the job, making the most of a job, procrastinating, managing people, negotiating, reducing stress and more. His writing is easy to read and personable. He is direct and tackles difficult subjects, such as an article entitled “Working While Ugly,” where he discusses being unattractive in a “lookist society.” Good articles that can be easily used with students. Grade Level: Senior High School Students and Adult Learners
11. Construct My Future: http://www.constructmyfuture.com/ This site is for students interested in the field of construction equipment manufacturing, construction equipment technology and distribution, and constructors. Many jobs and descriptions are provided under each of these three categories. Construction videos, scholarships, articles and links are also available. Grade Level: Middle and High School Students
12. Earth Science Week: http://www.earthsciweek.org/themebasedresources/career.html Sponsored by the American Geological Institute, this site focuses on 27 careers in geoscience. The site discusses what they do, where they work, how much they make, and what is the job outlook. It gets students to think beyond the familiar careers and learn about other careers. Grade Level: Middle and High School Students
13. My Future: http://www.myfuture.com/ Sponsored by the United States Department of Defense, this site includes a variety of resources that specifically pertain to planning for the future. Across the top are four main categories: military opportunities, money matters, beyond high school, and career toolbox. Clicking on any of these creates whole pages of links to good information about the military as well as civilian life. Grade Level: Senior High School Students and Adult Learners
14. Career Voyages: http://www.careervoyages.gov/students-main.cfm This site is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to provide information on in-demand occupations along with the skills and education needed to attain these in-demand jobs, such as nanotechnology, health care, homeland security, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and more. I like this site because it is focused on jobs the nation needs and the skills and education needed for them. Too many students don’t look at what jobs are needed before they attend college then can’t find a job. Several career links and videos are also available. I also like the listing of the top occupations specific to PA, along with the projected need for employees, projected growth, average annual job openings, and typical education/training. Grade Level: Senior High School Students and Adult Learners
15. Education Planner: http://www.educationplanner.org This site, sponsored by American Education Services, is divided into three sections: Thinking About College (career assessments, SAT practice, college timeline), Choosing a College (selecting, applying, deciding), and Paying (financial aid information, scholarships, loans. Many articles and links will teach students everything they need to know and more. This is an excellent resource. Grade Level: Middle and High School Students